Louise Erdrich's novel is about a most unlikely priest who serves on an Indian reservation in North Dakota in 1912. The story centers on Agnes DeWitt, a former nun and farm woman who assumes the identity of Father Damien Modeste when she comes across his body after he drowns in a flood. As Father Damien, Agnes manages to hide his/her true identity as a woman, serving as a beloved priest among the Ojibwe people for eighty years.
The novel opens in 1996, when Sister Leopolda is being considered for sainthood because of some alleged miracles associated with her. The Vatican sends a priest to investigate the merits of Sister Leopolda. But Father Damien knows many sinister truths about the nun, learned in the confessional. The aged priest writes to the Pope, one of many letters he has written to the Pontiff, to reveal the truth about Sister Leopolda. Damien has remained silent about the woman for decades, not only because of the sanctity of the confessional, but also because she knew his secret. As he writes, he reflects back on his unusual life. The novel moves back and forth in time over the period of almost a century.
I have struggled with how to rate this book. I began this book with great anticipation. Reading a novel about Native Americans really appealed to me. In addition, the book received high marks in most reviews. Nearly two-thirds of readers gave the book five stars. Some lauded its almost dreamlike quality and magical imagination. Many praised her prose. Others applauded her originality in storytelling.
In the end, I'm probably being generous in giving the book three stars. In my opinion, Erdrich's book is not nearly as wondrous as some claim. Originality alone is not sufficient to make a good novel. The story was outlandish--too much so for me. One of the greatest problems is that we never quite get to know the characters, perhaps because Erdich is so focused on studying what drives the heart. She creates many complex characters, but doesn't fully explore them and let her readers get to know them. As a result, I didn't find the characters to be very likeable. Some find the character of Agnes/Father Damien to be "pleasantly" flawed. I did not. Some have admired how Father Damien adapts his Catholic beliefs based on the Ojibwe traditions. Such a practice has a name; it's called syncretism, and it's a practice that should be condemned, not esteemed.
Ultimately, I just couldn't get into this book. The book was a chore for me to read. The story dragged and did not hold my interest. I also thought the writing was choppy. I seriously considered not finishing the book. I only finished because I felt compelled to finish it.
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C. Spencer Weatherley
Dense to the point of inpenetrable but I loved it
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Terrific multi-layered story
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